As any lawyer knows, we have chosen an incredibly stressful way to make a living. We face constant changes in law and handling of cases, delving heart-first into the life of an injured client or grieving family; even deadlines will put the most laid back person on edge.

I imagine I have experienced just about all of the triggers out there, and over the last 30 years I've settled into a daily routine that combats stress before it takes hold. First, pray. Pray for wisdom and strength to move through the process in a calm manner. Take time to gather your thoughts. I take advantage of the early morning hours to clear my head and prepare for the day.

Also, exercise. If you are only able to walk around the office casually, get up and move. Not only does the movement keep anxiety levels down, talking to co-workers and watching everyone dedicating their day to the tasks at hand puts everything into perspective.